The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal has approved 362 878 applications for Special Votes ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, with voting underway at designated voting stations across the province.
Giving an update on Special Votes administration during a media briefing at the Provincial Results Operations Centre (ROC) at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, on Monday, Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said of the approved applications, 211 449 were for voting station visits, while 151 429 were for home visits.
Special Voting is taking place on 2 and 3 November to accommodate eligible voters through voting stations and home visits.
Masinga said of the province’s 5 028 voting stations, 4 988 received applications for Special Votes, and commenced operations at 8am on Monday to facilitate voting station visits and home visits for voters whose applications were approved by the Commission.
“The remaining 40 voting stations did not receive special vote applications and, therefore, will not open for Special Votes,” Masinga said.
The three municipalities with the highest numbers of approved special votes are eThekwini with 101 470, Newcastle with 16 307, and Msunduzi with 14 603.
The Commission noted that a few voting stations experienced delays due to the late arrival of South African Police Service escorts, while one Area Manager experienced a vehicle breakdown in wet weather conditions.
“These challenges were attended to to ensure that the affected operations could proceed,” Masinga said.
Reported incidents
Masinga also gave an update on several incidents reported in the province.
At Zambeni, Amahlongwa Community Hall, ballot boxes and a training module were reported stolen. A case was opened at uMkomaas Police Station, replacement election material was delivered, and the voting station is operational.
At Umzinto Town Hall, members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party reportedly approached the voting station seeking information about the distribution of election materials. An individual claiming to be a member of the Political Liaison Committee (PLC) was also reported to have been present, despite not having previously participated in PLC meetings.
“PLC members were reminded that the storage locations of election materials are confidential and may not be disclosed to unauthorised persons. MK Party PLC members have been requested to verify the identity and status of the individual concerned,” Masinga said.
The IEC further confirmed that tents at a few voting stations that had not been erected on Sunday were installed on Monday morning, allowing the affected stations to open on time.
In another incident, a Deputy Presiding Officer, who was hospitalised following an accident, was replaced to ensure the continued operation of the affected voting station.
Call to voters
The Commission has urged voters, whose applications for voting station Special Votes have been approved, to visit their designated voting stations before they close at 5pm today and tomorrow.
Voters are also encouraged to verify their Special Vote approval status before leaving home by sending an SMS to 32711 at a cost of R1 per SMS.
They can also confirm their voting station details and sequence numbers on the voters’ roll through WhatsApp on 0600 88 0000, the IEC contact centre on 0800 11 8000, or by sending an SMS to 32810 at a cost of R1 per SMS.
Information is also available through the IEC website, www.elections.org.za, via its zero-rated Live Chat facility.
“The IEC reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters, whose Special Vote applications have been approved, are afforded the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote in a free, fair and credible electoral process.” – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
